Senate GOP leaders are again shaking up their strategy as they look for more ways to pressure Democrats to end a three-week stalemate over government funding — this time, with a vote that would keep paychecks flowing to “essential” workers.

The Senate failed to advance two partisan bills that would have paid some federal workers during the shutdown. Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked as the shutdown drags on.

The Senate blocked dueling bills to pay federal workers during the partial government shutdown, but a compromise could be in the works.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Back in the day, you would write a check to pay a bill. Now you can use online bill pay. You don't have to buy any checks; instead, you allow your bank to "write a check" from your account to pay your bill. This way you're still in ...